Enhancing precision in complex environments
Indoor mapping systems are commonly integrated into autonomous vehicles like drones and mobile robots. These vehicles are equipped with IMUs and INS to ensure accurate indoor positioning and motion tracking.
In a GNSS-denied environment, these sensors work by continuously calculating the vehicle’s position, velocity, and orientation based on data from accelerometers and gyroscopes.
In drones used for indoor mapping, the combination of inertial systems and LiDAR provides high-precision 3D maps. As drones navigate through hallways, large spaces, or industrial plants, the inertial systems allow them to correct for drift, adjust to dynamic movements, and maintain stable flight paths.
This is especially crucial for creating comprehensive and accurate maps in spaces where GNSS systems can’t work.
Mobile robots used in warehouses or industrial settings also rely on inertial navigation systems for real-time localization and mapping (SLAM). Inertial systems help robots track their position as they move through spaces, aiding in tasks such as inventory management, facility inspections, and asset tracking.
Inertial systems for wearable indoor mapping solutions
Another key application of inertial systems in indoor mapping involves wearable technologies.
Wearable systems equipped with IMUs are increasingly used for personal navigation and indoor mapping, especially in emergency response, military operations, or large-scale industrial environments. For example, a firefighter navigating through a smoke-filled building can wear a system with IMUs to map their indoor positioning and route, even when visibility is limited, and GNSS signals are absent.
Similarly, maintenance teams working in large facilities like factories, airports, or power plants use wearable indoor mapping systems to track their movements, enabling precise documentation of their tasks.
Wearable IMUs provide continuous data on orientation and movement, allowing users to track their exact position on a map in real-time. This data can be synchronized with external mapping technologies like LiDAR or optical systems to create detailed floor plans or track the movement of individuals through complex environments.
Fuse LiDAR & optical systems with inertial sensors
LiDAR and optical systems are often combined with inertial navigation systems to produce highly accurate indoor maps. LiDAR uses laser pulses to measure distances and create detailed 3D models of environments. Combined with an INS or IMU, LiDAR helps to ensure that every movement and turn is accurately captured, even when mapping difficult or large indoor spaces.
When combined with an inertial system, LiDAR mapping becomes even more powerful. LiDAR produces a vast amount of spatial data by scanning an environment, and the INS helps to position that data accurately.
As a drone or robot equipped with both systems moves through an indoor space, the LiDAR captures the physical dimensions, while the inertial system ensures that all movements and positional data are recorded with precision.
In some indoor positioning system applications, optical systems are used alongside or in place of LiDAR. High-resolution cameras, often combined with photogrammetry techniques, can capture images of indoor spaces and convert them into accurate 3D models. When paired with an inertial system, these cameras provide not only visual data but also accurate movement and indoor location tracking, which allows the system to create detailed maps that include both spatial and visual information.
Our solutions for indoor mapping
Our motion and navigation products are designed to integrate seamlessly with indoor mapping systems. Our state-of-the-art inertial systems provide the accuracy and reliability needed to produce high-quality indoor maps, even in the most challenging environments.
Whether you are deploying drones, mobile robots, or wearable systems for indoor navigation and indoor positioning systems, our products offer the precision and performance necessary to deliver real-time data and accurate maps.
Our systems are ideal for a range of applications, including industrial inspections, facility management, emergency response, and more.
Pulse-40
Quanta Micro
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Case studies
Explore our case studies to see how our inertial solutions have been successfully integrated into various indoor mapping applications around the world.
From warehouse robots navigating complex facilities to drones producing accurate 3D indoor maps of indoor spaces, our products have been instrumental in improving the efficiency and accuracy of mapping projects.
See real-world examples of our systems in action. Read our case studies to understand how SBG Systems can bring precision and reliability to your indoor mapping solutions.
They talk about us
Our clients range from industrial manufacturers to emergency response teams, and they rely on our inertial systems to produce accurate, reliable maps in GNSS-denied environments.
Join the ranks of our satisfied clients and learn more about how we can support your indoor mapping needs with our industry-leading solutions.
Do you have questions?
Curious about how indoor mapping systems work? Want to know more about how inertial systems contribute to accurate mapping in GNSS-denied environments?
Our FAQ section covers the most common questions about indoor mapping systems, including information about the technologies involved, best practices, and how to integrate our products into your solutions.
What is an indoor positioning system?
An Indoor Positioning System (IPS) is a specialized technology that accurately identifies the locations of objects or individuals within enclosed spaces, such as buildings, where GNSS signals may be weak or non-existent. IPS employs various techniques to deliver precise positioning information in settings like shopping malls, airports, hospitals, and warehouses.
IPS can leverage several technologies for location determination, including:
- Wi-Fi: Utilizes signal strength and triangulation from multiple access points for position estimation.
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): Employs beacons that send signals to nearby devices for tracking.
- Ultrasound: Uses sound waves for accurate location detection, often with mobile device sensors.
- RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification): Involves tags placed on items for real-time tracking.
- Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs): These sensors monitor motion and orientation, enhancing positional accuracy when combined with other methods.
A detailed digital map of the indoor space is essential for accurate positioning, while mobile devices or specialized equipment collect signals from the positioning infrastructure.
IPS enhances navigation, tracks assets, assists emergency services, analyzes retail behavior, and integrates into smart building systems, significantly improving operational efficiency where traditional GNSS fails.
What is SLAM?
SLAM, which stands for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping, is a computational technique used in robotics and computer vision to build a map of an unknown environment while simultaneously keeping track of an agent’s location within that environment. This is particularly useful in scenarios where GNSS is unavailable, such as indoors or in dense urban areas.
SLAM systems determine the agent’s position and orientation in real-time. This involves tracking the movement of the robot or device as it navigates through the environment. While the agent moves, the SLAM system creates a map of the environment. This can be a 2D or 3D representation, capturing the layout, obstacles, and features of the surroundings.
These systems often utilize multiple sensors, such as cameras, LiDAR, or inertial measurement units (IMUs), to gather data about the environment. This data is combined to improve the accuracy of both localization and mapping.
SLAM algorithms process the incoming data to update the map and the agent’s location continuously. This involves complex mathematical computations, including filtering and optimization techniques.
What is photogrammetry?
Photogrammetry is the science and technique of using photographs to measure and map distances, dimensions, and features of objects or environments. By analyzing overlapping images taken from different angles, photogrammetry allows for the creation of accurate 3D models, maps, or measurements. This process works by identifying common points in multiple photographs and calculating their positions in space, using principles of triangulation.
Photogrammetry is widely used in various fields, such as:
- Photogrammetry topographic mapping: Creating 3D maps of landscapes and urban areas.
- Architecture and engineering: For building documentation and structural analysis.
- Photogrammetry in archaeology: Documenting and reconstructing sites and artifacts.
- Aerial photogrammetry surveying: For land measurement and construction planning.
- Forestry and agriculture: Monitoring crops, forests, and land use changes.
When photogrammetry is combined with modern drones or UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), it enables the rapid collection of aerial images, making it an efficient tool for large-scale surveying, construction, and environmental monitoring projects.
What is a LiDAR?
A LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances to objects or surfaces. By emitting laser pulses and measuring the time it takes for the light to return after hitting a target, LiDAR can generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape and characteristics of the environment. It is commonly used to create high-resolution 3D maps of the Earth’s surface, structures, and vegetation.
LiDAR systems are widely utilized in various industries, including:
- Topographic mapping: To measure landscapes, forests, and urban environments.
- Autonomous Lidar vehicles: For navigation and obstacle detection.
- Agriculture: To monitor crops and field conditions.
- Environmental monitoring: For flood modeling, coastline erosion, and more.
LiDAR sensors can be mounted on drones, airplanes, or vehicles, enabling rapid data collection over large areas. The technology is prized for its ability to provide detailed, accurate measurements even in challenging environments, such as dense forests or rugged terrains.
